How To Optimize Your Work From Home Performance

Is it possible to work from home and have your children at home too? Is it possible to be successful at your profession and have your children excel in school with you both being at home? Is it possible to get everything you need to do in a day while at home, working, and taking care of your children?

In this blog post, you will find 5 ways to optimize your performance when you work from home with children.

Set up your work space to optimize your performance

1. Set up a space where you are going to work– I have FINALLY done this in my home. Like I have a consistent, designated space. It is my space. My children now know when I am there: Mommy is working!

Does this mean I don’t move around? Of course not! The beauty of being at home is the ability to be flexible.

However, you need to have the space set aside that you can retreat to and GET TO WORK. This may take time to develop and may have to be reorganized several times before it fits you well. But deciding what doesn’t work is as important as deciding what is right.

Don’t let the revisions and changes stop you. You know what you like. Make it place that is comfortable for you, so you can be productive. The key to working from home is remaining productive throughout the day and still completing those work projects despite the laundry that has to be done.

Plan your daily tasks to optimize your performance

2. Plan your daily tasks and your children’s daily tasks EVERYDAY– this means you need to have designated work hours. The time when you can work best, uninterrupted and get the most done.

We are back to planning. [See post Four reasons you should plan.]

Planning is essential ! Everyday!

I LOOOOOVE PLANNING!

Planning saved my life. 

Literally every area of my life. 

Saved my marriage.

Saved my children.

Saved my spiritual life.

Saved my friendships.

Saved my professional life.

Saved my meal planning.

Saved my creativity.

Saved me.

Plan your day each day. Plan your children’s day each day. [See how to plan activities for your children during a pandemic. These tips work for everyday planning as well.] Assist your husband with his planning as well. Family planning is key in decreasing frustration and increasing communication.

Having a designated day to complete your family planning allows everyone to think about the week ahead. This will allow your family to be able to support each other if someone has a big event or project coming up before the day arrives. Family planning allows for everyone to remain informed.

Especially with the work from home routine, everyone needs to know when someone needs that quiet area for a meeting or appointment. Older children can assist in entertaining younger ones. Plus, it helps you ready yourself for what you have to get done in the week as well.

Here is a planner on Amazon that you can use for yourself and family planning. It even has some sections to allow for goal setting!

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Go outside to optimize your performance

3. Go outside, get some fresh air, perform a physical activity– It is documented that everyone should receive amount of outdoor time per day. Kind of like an apple a day.

Based on research that was reported in the journal Scientific Reports and written about in the New York Times, a person should spend 120 minutes outside per week which works out to be about 20 minutes a day. Make sure you get yours!

Fresh air helps to reset your mind. Allows you to refocus on tasks that need to get completed. It helps you to tap into your creativity. With children at home, going outside also provides them with an outlet for their energy as well.

Going outside is excellent for your mental health and can also support positive physical health as well if you do the right type of activity when you are outside.

Plan a weekly reward

4. Plan a weekly reward to allow yourself to celebrate your accomplishments for the week– this gives you something tangible to work towards each week.

Why do you do what you do? Why are you in a certain profession? We all know no one can be paid for their true worth.

But you can reward yourself! It doesn’t have to be big. It can be something small, but as long as it has value to you.

We have chosen some sort of frozen treat at the end of our week. After we do our school work. After work. After we finish our household chores.

We are getting an icy; a smoothie; some ice cream. Some kind of yummy treat to let ourselves know “Job well done.” And that we can do it all again next week.

Everyone looks forward to it.

Have we missed a week here or there due to having lower motivation to complete tasks?

YES.

It is a reward. You do not get the reward if you do not complete all the steps.

That is how it remains motivating week after week. You have to be honest with yourself.

Value + Motivation+ Project Completion = Reward

Allow yourself some grace

5. Don’t be too hard on yourself and allow yourself some grace– You are human. Sometimes you have to say no to somethings. 

Especially now with so many things being virtual.

I have had work meetings, followed by conferences, followed by board meetings, followed by church……..

I have had to say no to some things. And feel no guilt about it. Because self preservation.

You will be no good to anyone if you are burnt out.

You need time to rest. You need time for self reflection. You need time for rejuvenation. Take that time where you are able to do those things for you and you only. Don’t feel bad about it. Don’t think about what you could be doing. Focus on you.

Let me know what you are going to use to optimize your work performance this week!

Remember to be you, be well, be focused!

Find Your Flourish!

Shanna

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